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“Here’s the difference between us,” explains the Israeli prime minister. “We’re using missile defense to protect our civilians, and they’re using their civilians to protect their missiles.”

Charles Krauthammer writes a weekly political column that runs on Fridays. View Archive

Rarely does international politics present a moment of such moral clarity. Yet we routinely hear this Israel-Gaza fighting described as a morally equivalent “cycle of violence.” This is absurd. What possible interest can Israel have in cross-border fighting? Everyone knows Hamas set off this mini-war. And everyone knows the proudly self-declared raison d’etre of Hamas: the eradication of Israel and its Jews.

Apologists for Hamas attribute the blood lust to the Israeli occupation and blockade. Occupation? Does no one remember anything? It was less than 10 years ago that worldwide television showed the Israeli army pulling die-hard settlers off synagogue roofs in Gaza as Israel uprooted its settlements, expelled its citizens, withdrew its military and turned every inch of Gaza over to the Palestinians. There was not a soldier, not a settler, not a single Israeli left in Gaza.

And there was no blockade. On the contrary. Israel wanted this new Palestinian state to succeed. To help the Gaza economy, Israel gave the Palestinians its 3,000 greenhouses that had produced fruit and flowers for export. It opened border crossings and encouraged commerce.

The Israel Defense Forces released a video on Thursday that they claim shows a tunnel that Hamas militants planned to use to attack Israel. (YouTube/The Israel Defense Forces)

The whole idea was to establish the model for two states living peacefully and productively side by side. No one seems to remember that, simultaneous with the Gaza withdrawal, Israel dismantled four smaller settlements in the northern West Bank as a clear signal of Israel’s desire to leave the West Bank as well and thus achieve an amicable two-state solution.

This is not ancient history. This was nine years ago.

And how did the Gaza Palestinians react to being granted by the Israelis what no previous ruler, neither Egyptian, nor British, nor Turkish, had ever given them — an independent territory? First, they demolished the greenhouses. Then they elected Hamas. Then, instead of building a state with its attendant political and economic institutions, they spent the better part of a decade turning Gaza into a massive military base, brimming with terror weapons, to make ceaseless war on Israel.

Where are the roads and rail, the industry and infrastructure of the new Palestinian state? Nowhere. Instead, they built mile upon mile of underground tunnels to hide their weapons and, when the going gets tough, their military commanders. They spent millions importing and producing rockets, launchers, mortars, small arms, even drones. They deliberately placed them in schools, hospitals, mosques and private homes to better expose their own civilians. (Just Thursday, the U.N. announced that it found 20 rockets in a Gaza school.) And from which they fire rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Why? The rockets can’t even inflict serious damage, being almost uniformly intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system. Even West Bank leader Mahmoud Abbas has asked: “What are you trying to achieve by sending rockets?”

This produces dead Palestinians for international television. Which is why Hamas perversely urges its own people not to seek safety when Israel drops leaflets warning of an imminent attack.

To deliberately wage war so that your own people can be telegenically killed is indeed moral and tactical insanity. But it rests on a very rational premise: Given the Orwellian state of the world’s treatment of Israel (see: the U.N.’s grotesque Human Rights Council), fueled by a mix of classic anti-Semitism, near-total historical ignorance and reflexive sympathy for the ostensible Third World underdog, these eruptions featuring Palestinian casualties ultimately undermine support for Israel’s legitimacy and right to self-defense.

In a world of such Kafkaesque ethical inversions, the depravity of Hamas begins to make sense. This is a world in which the Munich massacre is a movie and the murder of Klinghoffer is an opera — both deeply sympathetic to the killers. This is a world in which the U.N. ignores humanity’s worst war criminals while incessantly condemning Israel, a state warred upon for 66 years that nonetheless goes to extraordinary lengths to avoid harming the very innocents its enemies use as shields.

It’s to the Israelis’ credit that amid all this madness they haven’t lost their moral scruples. Or their nerve. Those outside the region have the minimum obligation, therefore, to expose the madness and speak the truth. Rarely has it been so blindingly clear.

Quoting numbr1wmn: Israelnis supposed to allow their people be slaughtered. Sick

In the face of the number of deaths for each side in this current conflict, how can you even post such an inane comment?

.

I have never understood the utter stupidity of deciding who the bad guy is by who is winning.
Israel simply wants to live and prosper in peace.
Ha-mas, Hezbollah, and The Palestinians want to terrorise them.
The terrorist actions lead to war.
The Palestinians are good at being terrorists, they suck at war.
They know that they suck at war, they don't care, they simply want dead children to parade before the cameras so dumb ass Americans can cry and wail about evil Israel.
Of the multitude of issues that the dumb masses in this country have wrong, this may be the biggest and most dangerous.

And I don't believe for a moment that Israel is taking pains to keep the death toll down. They don't have to use the weapons they are using, but they are.

Quoting Donna6503: Did you know that Russian rebels with just one rocket on one plane killed more people than Israel has in ten days of attacks. Yeah, you can make the claim that Israel is doing the best it can in keeping the death tow down.
Still, there is no basis for you to call Israeli action genocide; actually, you can call Hamas action "genocide" those are the ones that want Isreal to continue its' action so they, Hamas, can parade more dead people on its' decrepit cared for roads.

Quoting mehamil1:

Now, not only are you fundementally wrong about that, but it also surprises me you would think such a way.

Know what it's called when one side has vastily superior weapons and are using them against a people who don't have anything close to it? Genocide. Murder. Slaughter. And it's also an international crime.

Quoting LoveMyBoyK: Yes, Israel has better weapons. So more people are killed. One side of a battle beingstronger and more capable in no way negates the culpability of, and death toll racked up by, the other. Palestine is NOT innocent in the conflict.

Quoting idunno1234:

A different perspective:

http://www.ifamericansknew.org/

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the world’s major sources of instability. Americans are directly connected to this conflict, and increasingly imperiled by its devastation.

It is the goal of If Americans Knew to provide full and accurate information on this critical issue, and on our power – and duty – to bring a resolution.

Please click on any statistic for the source and more information.

Statistics last updated: July 17, 20

If Palestine is one of the most populated area of the world, how could "genocide" be taking place?

I mean technically speaking, when genocide takes place, doesn't the population go down with the group having genocide placed upon them?

Yet, of all the Arab world, Palestinians have the fastest growing Arab population anywhere? How come the Jordanians living in east Jordan are moving into the West Bank (Jordan's population has gone down in not up) wouldn't you think that Jordanians would move away from those evil Israelis that want to commit genocide against them and move into the Arab Paradise of East Jordan where no Jews live?

So why is that?

Quoting Healthystart30:

Quoting MelanieJK:

The Palestinians were offered everything they say they want now during the Clinton negotiations and they walked away. They're not negotiating in good faith AND they're cowards. Hiding their missiles in civilian areas is cowardly. The fact that people in this country fall for their crap is jaw dropping. Luckily the polls suggest that most don't.

Palestine is one if the most densely populated areas in the world. Where should they keep their missiles? Do you also understand that they are not getting supplies? They are poor and hungry. They don't have enough room or freedom to live normal lives! They are in a survival mode at this point and Israel just sent their land army in to Palestine! Genocide and you are cheering them on! It's jaw dropping that you are still taking in the propaganda while the Israelis sit on top of a mountain cheering as the children are murdered in gasa!

Not all of them use patronizing language, like the pat on the head bullshit, like I'm a child and not a grown educated woman.

What pisses me off the most is that I don't do that to them. I have never done that to anyone actually. Even when I was spitting mad at the some of the shit some of these women write, I did not patronize them. They are adults and I speak to them as adults. Because that's what they are.

Quoting angelaicky:

Its hard to have a talk with them because they don't use facts. They just keep saying the same things over and over... Palestine bad, Israel good.

Quoting mehamil1:

LMK, I do not patronize you, do not do it to me. I am willing to discuss this without the bullshit pats.

Hamas has weapons but they aren't radio active. They don't have sensors. They are shit left over from the cold war. Israel is armed to the teeth by the US. Which they then sell to other nations.

At no point have I ever said all they had were rocks and sling shots, they don't. But they have nothing close to the arsenal that Israel has.

Quoting LoveMyBoyK: You keep pretending Hamas has nothing but rocks and slingshots, sweetie. Run along now. *pats your head*

Quoting mehamil1:

Now, not only are you fundementally wrong about that, but it also surprises me you would think such a way.

Know what it's called when one side has vastily superior weapons and are using them against a people who don't have anything close to it? Genocide. Murder. Slaughter. And it's also an international crime.

Quoting LoveMyBoyK: Yes, Israel has better weapons. So more people are killed. One side of a battle beingstronger and more capable in no way negates the culpability of, and death toll racked up by, the other. Palestine is NOT innocent in the conflict.

Quoting idunno1234:

A different perspective:

http://www.ifamericansknew.org/

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the world’s major sources of instability. Americans are directly connected to this conflict, and increasingly imperiled by its devastation.

It is the goal of If Americans Knew to provide full and accurate information on this critical issue, and on our power – and duty – to bring a resolution.

Please click on any statistic for the source and more information.

Statistics last updated: July 17, 20

Quoting numbr1wmn: Israelnis supposed to allow their people be slaughtered. Sick

In the face of the number of deaths for each side in this current conflict, how can you even post such an inane comment?

.

I have never understood the utter stupidity of deciding who the bad guy is by who is winning.
Israel simply wants to live and prosper in peace.
Ha-mas, Hezbollah, and The Palestinians want to terrorise them.
The terrorist actions lead to war.
The Palestinians are good at being terrorists, they suck at war.
They know that they suck at war, they don't care, they simply want dead children to parade before the cameras so dumb ass Americans can cry and wail about evil Israel.
Of the multitude of issues that the dumb masses in this country have wrong, this may be the biggest and most dangerous.

Crazy That the media has ALWAYS been on the side of Israel, until the Internet. Now we know th truth! Israel is an oppressor! The Palestinians don't have any land left! The Israelis come and demolish houses, ban Palestinians from returning to their homes! The only dumb side is the one that insists that Israel is just defending themselves.

If Palestine is one of the most populated area of the world, how could "genocide" be taking place?

I mean technically speaking, when genocide takes place, doesn't the population go down with the group having genocide placed upon them?

Yet, of all the Arab world, Palestinians have the fastest growing Arab population anywhere? How come the Jordanians living in east Jordan are moving into the West Bank (Jordan's population has gone down in not up) wouldn't you think that Jordanians would move away from those evil Israelis that want to commit genocide against them and move into the Arab Paradise of East Jordan where no Jews live?

So why is that?

Quoting Healthystart30:

Quoting MelanieJK:

The Palestinians were offered everything they say they want now during the Clinton negotiations and they walked away. They're not negotiating in good faith AND they're cowards. Hiding their missiles in civilian areas is cowardly. The fact that people in this country fall for their crap is jaw dropping. Luckily the polls suggest that most don't.

Palestine is one if the most densely populated areas in the world. Where should they keep their missiles? Do you also understand that they are not getting supplies? They are poor and hungry. They don't have enough room or freedom to live normal lives! They are in a survival mode at this point and Israel just sent their land army in to Palestine! Genocide and you are cheering them on! It's jaw dropping that you are still taking in the propaganda while the Israelis sit on top of a mountain cheering as the children are murdered in gasa!

They live in one of the most densely populated area because the area they still have is tiny. Israel isn't tying to murder others to grab their land. Who knows what happens after they've gotten rid of all the Palestinians. Power seems to be going to their heads or they wouldn't continue stealing land from the Palestinians.

I don't agree with anyone being killed, especially children! But acting like Israel is some innocent poor country just trying to defend itself is bullshit.

Actually, Hamas has been firing the Iranians' M-302 rockets which has 300 lbs explosives in its' warhead and can easily cover any area of Israel.

But, that's not the point, Israel doesn't have the number of "kills" in ten days of fighting, that a rebel group has committed with just one rocket. It just shows that Israeli are keeping the death tow down as possible ... and somehow you're incorrectly calling that "genocide" Yet, Hamas has stated their only reason for firing their rockets is too kill as many Jews as possible; but, you don't think their actions should be considered genocide.

The word you're looking for is "hypocrisy."

Quoting mehamil1:

Hamas does not have a missle capable of taking down a plane. So no.

And I don't believe for a moment that Israel is taking pains to keep the death toll down. They don't have to use the weapons they are using, but they are.

Quoting Donna6503: Did you know that Russian rebels with just one rocket on one plane killed more people than Israel has in ten days of attacks. Yeah, you can make the claim that Israel is doing the best it can in keeping the death tow down.

Still, there is no basis for you to call Israeli action genocide; actually, you can call Hamas action "genocide" those are the ones that want Isreal to continue its' action so they, Hamas, can parade more dead people on its' decrepit cared for roads.

Quoting mehamil1:

Now, not only are you fundementally wrong about that, but it also surprises me you would think such a way.

Know what it's called when one side has vastily superior weapons and are using them against a people who don't have anything close to it? Genocide. Murder. Slaughter. And it's also an international crime.

Quoting LoveMyBoyK: Yes, Israel has better weapons. So more people are killed. One side of a battle beingstronger and more capable in no way negates the culpability of, and death toll racked up by, the other. Palestine is NOT innocent in the conflict.

Quoting idunno1234:

A different perspective:

http://www.ifamericansknew.org/

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the world’s major sources of instability. Americans are directly connected to this conflict, and increasingly imperiled by its devastation.

It is the goal of If Americans Knew to provide full and accurate information on this critical issue, and on our power – and duty – to bring a resolution.

Please click on any statistic for the source and more information.

Statistics last updated: July 17, 20

Wrong again, if Israel wanted "land" then why did they completely leave Gaza, Israel force over 2000 Israeli families from Gaza. Just leaving Gaza just for the Palestinians so they can completely destroy the place on their own.

Israel did that in '06 and they haven't been back, so how is that an Israeli "land grab"

Quoting Healthystart30:

Quoting Donna6503: Have you ever asked yourself,

If Palestine is one of the most populated area of the world, how could "genocide" be taking place?

I mean technically speaking, when genocide takes place, doesn't the population go down with the group having genocide placed upon them?

Yet, of all the Arab world, Palestinians have the fastest growing Arab population anywhere? How come the Jordanians living in east Jordan are moving into the West Bank (Jordan's population has gone down in not up) wouldn't you think that Jordanians would move away from those evil Israelis that want to commit genocide against them and move into the Arab Paradise of East Jordan where no Jews live?

So why is that?

Quoting Healthystart30:

Quoting MelanieJK:

The Palestinians were offered everything they say they want now during the Clinton negotiations and they walked away. They're not negotiating in good faith AND they're cowards. Hiding their missiles in civilian areas is cowardly. The fact that people in this country fall for their crap is jaw dropping. Luckily the polls suggest that most don't.

Palestine is one if the most densely populated areas in the world. Where should they keep their missiles? Do you also understand that they are not getting supplies? They are poor and hungry. They don't have enough room or freedom to live normal lives! They are in a survival mode at this point and Israel just sent their land army in to Palestine! Genocide and you are cheering them on! It's jaw dropping that you are still taking in the propaganda while the Israelis sit on top of a mountain cheering as the children are murdered in gasa!

They live in one of the most densely populated area because the area they still have is tiny. Israel isn't tying to murder others to grab their land. Who knows what happens after they've gotten rid of all the Palestinians. Power seems to be going to their heads or they wouldn't continue stealing land from the Palestinians.

I don't agree with anyone being killed, especially children! But acting like Israel is some innocent poor country just trying to defend itself is bullshit.

"Tiny area" isn't an answer to why Arabs fasting growing area happens to be under Israeli's genocide?

Quoting Healthystart30:

Quoting Donna6503: Have you ever asked yourself,

If Palestine is one of the most populated area of the world, how could "genocide" be taking place?

I mean technically speaking, when genocide takes place, doesn't the population go down with the group having genocide placed upon them?

Yet, of all the Arab world, Palestinians have the fastest growing Arab population anywhere? How come the Jordanians living in east Jordan are moving into the West Bank (Jordan's population has gone down in not up) wouldn't you think that Jordanians would move away from those evil Israelis that want to commit genocide against them and move into the Arab Paradise of East Jordan where no Jews live?

So why is that?

Quoting Healthystart30:

Quoting MelanieJK:

The Palestinians were offered everything they say they want now during the Clinton negotiations and they walked away. They're not negotiating in good faith AND they're cowards. Hiding their missiles in civilian areas is cowardly. The fact that people in this country fall for their crap is jaw dropping. Luckily the polls suggest that most don't.

Palestine is one if the most densely populated areas in the world. Where should they keep their missiles? Do you also understand that they are not getting supplies? They are poor and hungry. They don't have enough room or freedom to live normal lives! They are in a survival mode at this point and Israel just sent their land army in to Palestine! Genocide and you are cheering them on! It's jaw dropping that you are still taking in the propaganda while the Israelis sit on top of a mountain cheering as the children are murdered in gasa!

They live in one of the most densely populated area because the area they still have is tiny. Israel isn't tying to murder others to grab their land. Who knows what happens after they've gotten rid of all the Palestinians. Power seems to be going to their heads or they wouldn't continue stealing land from the Palestinians.

I don't agree with anyone being killed, especially children! But acting like Israel is some innocent poor country just trying to defend itself is bullshit.

Send me email updates about messages I've received on the site and the latest news from The CafeMom Team.
By signing up, you certify that you are female and accept the Terms of Service and have read the
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